HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 
Seeps. Numerous. Embryo minute, at the base of horny 
or fleshy albumen. 
Tue Seconpary CHaracTeErs. 
Hyprastis. Sepals three, ovate, petaloid, equal. Corolla 
wanting. Stamens indefinite or numerous, a little shorter 
than the sepals. Baccate fruit composed of numerous, aggre- 
gate, one-seeded acines. 
Petals three, ovate (by some considered a colored calyx). Berry composed of 
one-seeded acines. , 
Tue Spreciric CuaractTsErs. 
Hyprastis Canapensis. Root of a deep yellow color in- 
ternally. Stem six—nine inches high, becoming purplish, 
hairy above. Leaves two only, alternate on the upper part 
of the stem, petiolate, emarginate at base, palmate with 
three —five lobes. Peduncle terminal, solitary, one-flowered. 
Sepals reddish white. Fruit red, juicy. Seeds nearly black. 
Stem with two opposite leaves above. Leaves petioled, emarginate at the base, 
palmate, serrate, gashed. Peduncele terminal, solitary, one-flowered. Root yellow. 
Tue Artirictan CHaracters. 
Cuass Potyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from 
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orver Ponyeynia. Leaves 
never peltate. Herbs with acrid, colorless juice. 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
_ The Hyprastis Canapensis is peculiar to North America. 
It was originally included by Linneeus in Hypropuyiivm, but 
afterwards separated under its present name, at the suggestion 
of his industrious correspondent, Mr. John Ellis, to whom we 
_ are indebted for the generic name Hyprastis, which has been 
adopted by all botanists, except P. Miller, F. B. 8., who, in 
his Gardener’s Dictionary, terms it Warnera. Another species 
_ has been described by Walter under the name of Hydrastis 
Carolinensis ; but as it has not since been detected, it is prob- 
ably nothing more than a local variety of this one. Dr. 
Muhlenberg has also introduced it in his catalogue, but with 
The Hydrastis is found in most parts of the United States, 
- most common to the west of the mountains. It may 
